Page 25 of Save Me

"Dad," I groan. "I told you that I was staying at the apartment so I didn't have to get up early to make it to campus."

"I don't like it," he complains. "It's safer for you here."

"I'm perfectly safe there."

"You'd be safer here where I can keep an eye on you. Until they find the men responsible for Bellamy's murder, you need to stick close to home, sweetheart," he says.

I glance at my mom for help.

"He's right," she says gently, betraying me.

"Mama!" I cry.

"Sorry, sweet girl." She shrugs, her expression full of apology. "But I worry about you out there on your own, especially right now."

"I'm fine," I insist.

My dad's cell rings, distracting him before he can launch into a lecture about all the reasons I'm not fine. He's given a lot of those lately. And I get why he's worried. I even get that he has reason to worry. But if he keeps me locked up here, I'm screwed.I'll never be able to help figure out who killed Bellamy. Bella will be stuck in Texas forever. And I'll never see Brantley again. Because—call me crazy—but I don't think my dad will jump for joy if I tell him that I went to see him in the first place.

He'll know exactly why I was there, and he'll freak out. He's overprotective to a fault. And I don't want to be shipped off to Texas before Brantley and I ever even have a chance. I need time with him. And I need my dad to like him. But I'm a little worried that won't ever happen, especially if he knows how muchIlike him.

"I need to take this," Dad murmurs, striding from the room.

"Thank God," my mom says loud enough for him to hear. "My cookies are finally safe."

He shoots her a dark look over his shoulder. "I heard that, Dimples."

"You were supposed to hear that, Mac."

He shakes his head, smiling, as he disappears into the living room to take his call.

I sigh, throwing myself down into a chair at the table with a scowl.

"It's not so bad, baby girl," Mom murmurs. "It's not forever."

"Easy for you to say. He's here with you," I mutter.

She gasps quietly, spinning to face me.

Crap.

"You met someone?"

"I…didn't say that."

"Isla Marie Sterling."

I grimace, my shoulders drooping as I bury my face in my hands. "Yes," I groan. "I met someone. But you can't tell Dad! It's new. And if he finds out, you know he'll act all crazy about it. He'll scare him off before we ever even have a chance."

"He wouldn't do that, baby girl."

I drop my hands, staring at her incredulously. "He tried to insist on parent chaperones at prom just so he could keep an eye on us! And Bella and I didn't even have dates!"

She laughs quietly as she rolls out cookie dough onto a sheet. "Okay, maybe you're right. But he's only crazy because he worries about you girls."

"I know," I groan. "But he doesn't need to worry so much. We aren't little girls anymore. We're adults. Eventually, he has to realize that."

Mom laughs again. "Baby girl, the second hardest thing your daddy has ever had to face is the fact that you girls are grown up. Believe me, he knows. He hates it, but he knows. That's why he worries so much. He can't protect you from everything anymore. He has to let you fight your own battles now. It drives him crazy."

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